Material transfer apparatus for a rotary drum

ABSTRACT

A rotary drum is employed to quench the coke discharged from a coke oven and thereafter transfer the quenched coke to a fixed conveying device. The quenched coke is discharged onto the conveying device from the rotary drum through transfer apparatus that effectively seals the outlet of the rotary drum and collects the steam and dust formed during the quenching operation within the rotary drum through a second outlet suitably connected to air cleaner apparatus. The transfer apparatus includes a plurality of paddles connected to and rotatable with the rotary drum. The paddles are positioned within a fixed end housing and form pockets therebetween to convey upon rotation of the drum preselected quantities of quenched coke up a fixed arcuate plate to a discharge chute. A fixed arcuate sealing segment is positioned in spaced overlying relation with the arcuate plate and has sufficient length to overlie and enclose at least one pocket on opposite sides of the discharge chute. The upper portion of the arcuate plate forms a distributor to feed the quenched coke discharged from the rotary drum into the pockets formed by the paddles. The arcuate plate and arcuate sealing segment are connected to a fixed housing and are movable linearly to compensate for expansion and contraction of the rotary drum.

United States Patent [1 1 Hoffman 5] Dec. 25, 1973 MATERIAL TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR A ROTARY DRUM [75] lnventorz' Erwin Hoffman, Essen, Germany [73] Assignee: Heinrich Koppers Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung, Essen, Germany [22] Filed: Oct. 7, 1971 [2]] App]. No.: 187,404

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Lawrence .l. Oresky Attorney-Stanley J. Price, Jr.

IIIIIllllllllllllllllllll [5 7] ABSTRACT A rotary drum is employed to quench the coke discharged from a coke oven and thereafter transfer the quenched coke to a fixed conveying device. The quenched coke is discharged onto the conveying device from the rotary drum through transfer apparatus that effectively seals the outlet of the rotary drum and collects the steam and dust formed during the quenching operation within the rotary drum through a second outlet suitably connected to air cleaner apparatus. The transfer apparatus includes a plurality of paddles connected to and rotatable with the rotary drum. The paddles are positioned within a fixed end housing and form pockets therebetween to convey upon rotation of the drum preselected quantities of quenched coke up a fixed arcuate plate to a discharge chute. A fixed arcuate sealing segment is positioned in spaced overlying relation with the arcuate plate and has sufficient length to overlie and enclose at least one pocket on opposite sides of the discharge chute. The upper portion of the arcuate plate forms a distributor to feed the quenched coke discharged from the rotary drum into the pockets formed by the paddles. The arcuate plate and arcuate sealing segment are connected to a fixed housing and are movable linearly to compensate for expansion and contraction of the rotary drum.

8 (Ilaims, 2 Drawing Figures \lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 1 MATERIAL TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR A ROTARY DRUM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to material transfer apparatus for a rotary drum and more particularly to material transfer apparatus in which the material being transferred provides a seal between the inner portion of the drum and the surrounding atmosphere.

2. Description of the Prior Art Coke is discharged fromv horizontal coke ovens into an inclined rotary drum that is provided with a discharge means for the coke and a separate discharge means for steam and dust. The coke is sprayed with water in the rotary drum and the rotation of the drum conveys the coke to a discharge opening. Substantial amounts of dust and smoke are formed during the quenching operation within the rotary drum. In order to minimize pollution of the surroundings, it is essential that the smoke and steam be collected and subjected to a cleaning operation. Problems are encountered in transferring the quenched coke from the rotary quenching drum to conventional conveying apparatus. It is desirable, in order to minimize pollution of the sur'- roundings, to seal the inner portion of the rotary drum from the surroundings and to collect the steam and dust for subsequent cleaning In the past, as is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,367,884, a special transfer unit such as a star feeder, bucket wheel, rotary plate or the like was provided in the discharge portion of the rotary drum to transfer the quenched coke from the rotary drum to the fixed conveying apparatus. Transfer devices that include star feeders and the like required their own drives, are expensive and difficult to maintain. There is a need for transfer apparatus that provides an efficient seal to prevent pollution of the surrounding area and operates without a separate drive mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a rotatable drum with an end portion in a fixed housing. The drum end portion has a plurality of radially extending spaced paddles that form pockets therebetween. The fixed housing surrounds the drum end portion and has an arcuate wall portion with an opening therein for the flow of material therethrough. The drum end portion is positioned in overlying relation with the fixed housing arcuate wall so that material in the pockets is conveyed along the fixed housing arcuate wall portion upon rotation of the drum. A seal is positioned within the fixed housing in overlying relation with the paddles to enclose the upper portion of the pockets on opposite sides of the opening in the fixed housing arcuate wall portion so that the material forms a seal between the inner portion of the drum and the opening in the fixed housing arcuate wall portion.

There is also provided a means to control the flow of material from the inner portion of the drum into the pockets and a means to feed the material from the inner portion of the drum into the pockets. The seal means and the means to feed the material from the inner portion of the drum are connected to an end cover of the fixed housing in a manner that theend cover and the elements connected thereto are movable for controlled longitudinal movement relative to the drum end portion.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide transfer apparatus for a rotary drum that does not require a separate drive mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide transfer apparatus for a rotary drum that effectively seals the inner portion of the drum from the surrounding atmosphere.

A still further object of this invention is to provide material transfer apparatus for a rotary drum in which the material being transferred effectively seals the inner portion of the drum from the surrounding atmosphere.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation and in section of material discharge apparatus for a rotary drum.

FIG. 2 is a view in section taken along the lines II-Il of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a rotary coke quenching drum assembly generally designated by the numeral 10 that is provided with an annular geared portion 12 and is suitably mounted on a frame member 14. The frame member 14 is, in turn, mounted on wheels 16 that are arranged to move the quenching drum assembly 10 along the tracks or rails 18. Coke pushed from a coke chamber ofa horizontal coke oven is transferred to the quenching drum assembly 10 and the coke is sprayed with water in the quenching drum by means of suitable nozzles or the like as illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,367,884. The coke as it is being quenched in the quenching drum assembly 10 is conveyed toward the coke quenching drum assembly discharge end 20 by the rotation of the drum 22. The drum 22 is rotated at a variable speed of between one and four revolutions per minute and the drum is preferably inclined at an angle of about four degrees. Rotation for the drum 22 is provided by motor 24 mounted on frame 14 that has a drive gear 26 meshing with the externally toothed gear 12.

The quenching drum assembly discharge end portion 20 has a fixed housing 28 suitably secured to the frame 14 in a manner that the end portion of the drum 22 rotates therein. The end portion of the drum 22 has an annular plate 30 secured thereto and rotatable therewith. The plate 30 extends inwardly relative to the drum 22 and forms a retaining means for the quenched coke within the drum 22. The diameter of the plate 30 controls the amount of coke retained within the quenching drum 22. The rotation of the drum 22 maintains the quenched coke within the drum 22 at an inclined angle as designated by the numeral 34 in FIG. 2. From this inclined position the quenched coke is discharged by gravity over the annular wear ring 36 on the retaining ring 30 onto a stationary distributing chute or plate 38. The inclination of the plate 38 as illustrated in FIG. 2 provides an inclined surface for the quenched coke so that the quenched coke slides down the upper surface of the plate 38 into pockets generally designated by the numeral 40.

The pockets 40 are formed by a plurality of radially extending paddles 42 secured to'an inner paddle ring 44 and an outer paddle ring 46. The inner paddle ring 44, outer paddle ring 46 and paddles 42 form a unitary member that is secured to the drum 22 by suitably securing the inner paddle 44 the retaining ring 32. Screws or other suitable securing means may be employed to fixedly secure the unitary member comprising the inner paddle ring 44, outer paddle ring 46 and paddles 42 to the retaining ring 30. With this arrangement the paddles 42 rotate with the drum 22 and quenched coke discharged onto the surface of the stationary distributing chute 38 is transferred into the pockets 40 and movable therewith.

An arcuate wear plate 48 having the general configuration of the arcuate wall 50 of housing 28 is positioned along the arcuate bottom and side of the housing 28. The quenched coke falling from the stationary distributing plate 38 into the pockets 40 is conveyed over the lower fixed wearing plate 48 to an overflow edge portion 52. The quenched coke as illustrated in FIG. 2 is conveyed over the edge portion 52 into a discharge chute 54 that has an inclined surface 56 with upwardly extending restraining devices 58. The restraining devices 58 limit the downward flow of quenched coke and retain an inventory of quenched coke on the inclined surface 56. The quenched coke in controlled amounts is discharged from the inclined surface 56 through a guide hood 60 onto an endless conveyor belt 62. A suitable flap valve 64 (FIG. 1) is provided at the outlet of the hood 60 to effectively seal the chute 54 from the surrounding area.

The dust and vapors that accumulate during the transferring of the coke into the quenching drum and during the quenching of the coke are removed by suction through the rotatable drum 22 into the fixed housing 28. The fixed housing 28 has an outlet 66 suitably attached to a suction blower 68 to remove the dust and steam through conduit 70 into suitable dust removal apparatus (not shown). it is essential that the quenching drum be sealed from the surrounding atmosphere to prevent the premature condensation of the quenching vapors before or in the dust removal apparatus as a result of penetration or dilution by air from the surrounding atmosphere. The sealing of the rotary drum 22 within the fixed housing 28 is provided by means of an inner sealing segment 72 which has an arcuate configuration and has the stationary distributing plate 38 positioned thereabove. The arcuate sealing segment 72 closes the pockets 40 as the pockets 40 move thereunder upon rotation of the drum 22 so that pockets filled with quenched coke passing beneath sealing segment 72 effectively seal the internal portion of drum 22 from the chute 54. The arcuate sealing segment 72 is welded to and forms a part of the stationary distributing plate 38. Both the stationary distributing chute 38 and arcuate sealing segment 72 are in turn welded to a vertical wearing plate 74 (FIG. 2) and the arcuate wearing plate 48 is secured to the inner surface of arcuate wall 50 of housing 28. Thus, the arcuate inner sealing segment 72, distributing plate 38 and wear plate 74 are secured to the arcuate plate 48 to form a fixed unitary structure within the housing 28. The unitary structure previously described comprising the stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72, wearing plate 74 and wearing plate 48 function to exclude air from entering into the rotary drum 22 through the discharge chute 54 and as a guide for the quenched coke discharged through the chute 54. The unitary structure comprising the stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72, wearing plate 74 and wearing plate 48 is adjustable in a longitudinal direction toward and away from the end of drum 22 and paddle devices connected thereto and the unitary structure remains centered to assure a minimum relative movement between the rotating and stationary parts of the coke quenching drum assembly 10.

The support for the unit comprising stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72, wearing plate 74 and wearing plate 48 is an end cover member 76 of housing assembly 28. The cover member 76 is secured to the housing assembly 28 by means of screws 78. In the preferred construction the stationary edge portions of the distributing chute 38 and the sealing segment 72 are moved or adjusted toward the coke quenching drum 22 to be in abutting relation with the front face of the inner paddle ring 44. The stationary wear plate 74 is also urged into abutting relation with the outer paddle ring 46.

The coke quenching drum is subjected to substantial longitudinal dimensional changes and it is necessary for the unit comprising the stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72, wearing plate 74 and wearing plate 48 secured to cover 76 to be movable longitudinally relative to the quenching drum 22. To permit this longitudinal movement the cover member 76 has a flanged portion 80 through which the bolts 78 extend and serve as guide elements for centering the cover 76 and as a spacing means for adjustment of stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72 and respective wear plates 74 and 48. The bolts are provided with spring elements 82 to provide the desired pressure and also to yield if necessary in case of additional expansion. An O-ring seal 82 provides a reliable seal between cover 76 and the fixed housing 28. Guide bolts 84 are positioned in longitudinal slots that provide additional security against a tendency of movement of the stationary distributing chute 38, arcuate sealing segment 72, wearing plate 74 and wearing plate 48.

The inner paddle ring 44 has longitudinally extending dust catchers 86 provided to push the coke breeze that accumulates in relatively small amounts on the fixed housing arcuate wall 50 and wear plate 48 to an opening 88 in the housing assembly 28 from which it is discharged onto the conveyor belt 62 through a chute (not illustrated). The sealing surface between the wear plate 74 and the outer paddle ring 46 is reduced by means of narrow steel arcuate sealing strips 90 secured to the paddle ring 46. The seal strips 90 provide a relatively smooth surface. The relatively small seal surface provided by the sealing strips 90 minimize possible jamming by incidental coke breeze.

Since the diameter of the outer paddle ring 46 does not completely reach the surface of the arcuate wear ring 48, coke breeze trickling through the sealed space is again directed toward the paddles and conveyed by the paddles 42 to be discharged with the coke breeze. As is apparent from FIG. 2 the paddles 42 are bent so that they are at a favorable angle to the chute edge 92 when the quenched coke slides down into the pockets 40 formed between paddles 42. The paddles are further constructed to optimally move the coke to the overflow edge portion 52 of wear plate 48. Further, the bending of the paddles 42 and the paddle rings 44 and 46 welded thereto serve to rigidify the unitary member rotatable with the drum 22. Reinforcement members 94 further rigidify the unitary assembly connected to and rotatable with the drum 22. The lower edges of the padence quenched coke from a rotatable quenching drum, it should be understood that the invention may be applied to any apparatus where regulation and relatively gas tight introduction and discharge of bulk material into or out of a rotary drum is required.

have explained the principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention and have illustrated and described what i now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

dles 42 are so dimensioned to easily move over the leading edges 96 of wear plate 48. The edge 92 of stationary distributing chute 38 acts as a guiding, pushing and wear element to thereby provide a satisfactory transfer of the quenched coke into the pockets 40 be- 5 tween the paddles 42. A seal 98 is provided between the rotary quench drum 22 and the stationary housing 28 to effectively seal the rear portion of stationary housing 28.

As will be apparent from the above description, the

Although the invention has been described in referto a discharge apparatus for transferring According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I

I claim:

1. Material transfer apparatus comprising,

a cylindrical drum,

means to support and rotate said drum,

said drum having an end portion with a plurality of radially extending spaced paddles forming pockets therebetween,

a fixed housing surrounding said drum end portion and having an arcuate wall portion, said housing having an opening in said arcuate wall portion for the flow of material therethrough,

said drum end portion positioned in overlying relation with said fixed housing arcuate wall portion so that material positioned in said pockets is conveyed along said fixed housing arcuate wall portion upon rotation of said drum,

an inclined plate member nonrotatably secured to said fixed housing, said inclined plate member arranged to receive material discharged from the inner portion of said drum and feed said material into said pockets, and

seal means positioned within said fixed housing in overlying relation with said paddles, said seal means arranged to enclose the upper portion of 60 said pockets on opposite sides of said opening in said fixed housing arcuate wall portion.

2. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes,

means to control the flow of material from the inner portion of said drum into said pockets.

3. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which,

said seal means includes an arcuate seal segment non-rotatably secured to said fixed housing and positioned in substantially parallel spaced relation to said fixed housing arcuate wall portion, said radially extending paddles on said drum end portion positioned between said seal segment and said fixed housing arcuate wall portion.

4. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes,

an end cover for said fixed housing, said seal segment secured to and movable longitudinally with said end cover, and

means to connect said end cover to said housing for controlled longitudinal movement of said sealing segment relative to said drum end portion.

5. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes,

an inclined plate member non-rotatably secured to said fixed housing, said inclined plate member arranged to receive material discharged from said drum inner portion and feed said material into said pockets,

said inclined plate positioned above said arcuate sealing segment,

an end cover for said fixed housing,

said seal segment and said inclined plate secured to and movable longitudinally with said end cover, and

means to connect said end cover to said housing for coritrolling longitudinal movement of said seal segment relative to said drum end portion.

6. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which includes,

a circular wall portion on said end cover,

said fixed housing having a circular surface positioned in overlying relation to said cover circular wall portion, and

a seal ring extending around said circular wall portion and abutting said fixed housing circular surface to form a seal therebetween and permit longitudinal movement of said end cover relative to said housing.

7. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes,

an annular ring member secured to said drum member end portion and rotatable therewith,

said radially extending paddles secured to and extending longitudinally from said annular ring member,

said annular ring member forming a side wall for said pockets formed by said paddles.

8. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 7 which includes,

a second ring member secured to the other end of said paddles, said second ring member forming a second side wall for said pockets formed by said paddles. 

1. Material transfer apparatus comprising, a cylindrical drum, means to support and rotate said drum, said drum having an end portion with a plurality of radially extending spaced paddles forming pockets therebetween, a fixed housing surrounding said drum end portion and having an arcuate wall portion, said housing having an opening in said arcuate wall portion for the flow of material therethrough, said drum end portion positioned in overlying relation with said fixed housing arcuate wall portion so that material positioned in said pockets is conveyed along said fixed housing arcuate wall portion upon rotation of said drum, an inclined plate member nonrotatably secured to said fixed housing, said inclined plate member arranged to receive material discharged from the inner portion of said drum and feed said material into said pockets, and seal means positioned within said fixed housing in overlying relation with said paddles, said seal means arranged to enclose the upper portion of said pockets on opposite sides of said opening in said fixed housing arcuate wall portion.
 2. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes, means to control the flow of material from the inner portion of said drum into said pockets.
 3. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which, said seal means includes an arcuate seal segment non-rotatably secured to said fixed housing and positioned in substantially parallel spaced relation to said fixed housing arcuate wall portion, said radially extending paddles on said drum end portion positioned between said seal segment and said fixed housing arcuate wall portion.
 4. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes, an end cover for said fixed housing, said seal segment secured to and movable longitudinally with said end cover, and means to connect said end cover to said housing for controlled longitudinal movement of said sealing segment relative to said drum end portion.
 5. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 3 which includes, an inclined plate member non-rotatably secured to said fixed housing, said inclined plate member arranged to receive material discharged from said drum inner portion and feed said material into said pockets, said inclined plate positioned above said arcuate sealing segment, an end cover for said fixed housing, said seal segment and said inclined plate secured to and movable longitudinally with said end cover, and means to connect said end cover to said housing for controlling longitudinal movement of said seal segment relative to said drum end portion.
 6. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 4 which includes, a circular wall portion on said end cOver, said fixed housing having a circular surface positioned in overlying relation to said cover circular wall portion, and a seal ring extending around said circular wall portion and abutting said fixed housing circular surface to form a seal therebetween and permit longitudinal movement of said end cover relative to said housing.
 7. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which includes, an annular ring member secured to said drum member end portion and rotatable therewith, said radially extending paddles secured to and extending longitudinally from said annular ring member, said annular ring member forming a side wall for said pockets formed by said paddles.
 8. Material transfer apparatus as set forth in claim 7 which includes, a second ring member secured to the other end of said paddles, said second ring member forming a second side wall for said pockets formed by said paddles. 